Paul Merson admits he was absolutely stunned when he learned about Marcus Rashford’s 100-goal milestone for Manchester United.
The former Arsenal man says he ‘nearly fell off his chair’ after hearing that Rashford’s goal against West Ham on Sunday was his 100th for the club.
Rashford became the 22nd player to score 100 goals for United in all competitions and the first to reach that total since Wayne Rooney in 2009.
The 25-year-old England international is out of contract at the end of the season but United plan to offer him a new deal before the end of the year to ward off any interest in him from abroad.
Rashford wants to stay at United and is keen on signing a new long-term deal at the club.
Speaking about the striker’s latest milestone, Merson told Sky Sports: ‘I nearly fell off my chair when I heard Marcus Rashford had scored 100 goals for Manchester United.
‘I could not catch my breath. I could not believe he had scored that many.
‘If someone had told me he scored 45 goals I’d have thought that would have been about right, but 100 goals is phenomenal.
‘He’s not an out-and-out goalscorer, he’s not a Harry Kane or someone of that ilk. He’s a player who chips in every now and then, or at least what the perception is.
‘It’s a cup final for every team playing against Manchester United, everybody wants to beat them, so for Rashford to score the number of goals he has is some achievement.
‘It just goes to show you that some people don’t get the credit they deserve whereas others get more than they are due.
‘Because he started off so young and blew people away, Rashford hasn’t got the credit he deserves because people expect him to stay at that top level forever.
‘He had his first real dip last season where his confidence went but fair play to him, he’s stuck at it and looks a completely different player again.
‘The biggest compliment I can pay to Rashford is that when he goes through on goal you don’t think he’s going to miss, he gets you off your seat.
‘I think Rashford goes to the World Cup, he’s an absolute shoo-in. He can play in a few positions, out wide, through the middle, and still make a difference.
‘England haven’t got many players who can play out wide and up front and still have a presence.
‘Rashford has been around for a while; he’s got experience even though he’s a young lad.
‘I know he got left out of the last squad, but I would be shocked if he wasn’t on the plane to Qatar.
‘What Rashford has over the likes of Callum Wilson and Ivan Toney, who are out-and-out centre-forwards, is his versatility.’
MORE : Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo react to Marcus Rashford reaching Man Utd milestone
MORE : Michael Owen urges Man Utd to sign the ‘next Wayne Rooney’ and calls out three players
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